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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Antlions, Owlflies, Lacewings, Mantidflies and Allies (Neuroptera) » Lacewings, Mantidflies and Allies (Hemerobiiformia) » Green Lacewings (Chrysopidae)

Family Chrysopidae - Green Lacewings

Classification · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Identification · Habitat · Food · Life Cycle · Remarks · Print References · Works Cited
BG2341 E7195 - Chrysoperla rufilabris Debris-Carrying Larva Lacewing IMG_1115 Insect egg? Whose cocoon is this? Leucochrysa insularis Chrysopa oculata - Golden-eyed Lacewing? - Chrysopa oculata chrysopid
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Neuroptera (Antlions, Owlflies, Lacewings, Mantidflies and Allies)
Suborder Hemerobiiformia (Lacewings, Mantidflies and Allies)
Family Chrysopidae (Green Lacewings)
Explanation of Names
Chrysopidae Schneider 1851
see Chrysopa
Numbers
85 spp. in 14 genera* in our area(1); ca. 1,200 spp. in 75 genera and 3 subfamilies worldwide(2)
*Genera not yet in the guide: Pimachrysa (5 spp., AZ-CA), Plesiochrysa (1 sp., FL)
Identification
Key to most NA genera in (3)
Wings appear hairless to the naked eye, but bear short hairs along the edges and veins

Most species are green, but some are brown, especially overwintering adults of certain species:

Pinned specimens turn yellowish.
Larvae are 'alligator-like', with large jaws. Larvae of some spp. cover themselves with bits of litter/debris.
Habitat
Common in grass and weeds and on tree/shrub foliage
Food
Some adults are predators, others take liquids such as honeydew, and some feed on pollen
Larvae prey on insects, especially aphids (sometimes called 'aphid lions'); will also consume larger insects, insect eggs, and pupae.
Life Cycle

Eggs are characteristically stalked. The eggs and egg-laying shown here:

The larvae pupate in silken cocoons usually attached to the underside of leaves or stems.

Click on either image to see the life cycle of Chrysopa oculata
Remarks
often give off an unpleasant odor when handled.
Some species used as biological controls
Video of larvae feeding on aphids.
Adults are crepuscular or nocturnal.
Print References
Duelli P., Johnson J.B., Waldburger M., Henry C.S. (2014) A new look at adaptive body coloration and color change in “Common Green Lacewings” of the genus Chrysoperla (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Ann. Ent. Soc. Am. 107: 382-388 (Full text)
Tauber C., Tauber M.J., Albuquerque G.S. (2014) Debris-carrying in larval Chrysopidae: Unraveling its evolutionary history. Ann. Ent. Soc. Am. 107: 295-314 (Full text)
Works Cited
1.American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico
Ross H. Arnett. 2000. CRC Press.
2.Chrysopidae of Canada and Alaska (Ins., Neuroptera): revised checklist, new and noteworthy records,and geo-referenced localities
Garland J.A., Kevan D.K. Mce. 2007. Zootaxa 1486: 1–84.
3.The green lacewings of Florida (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). 1. Genera
Stange L.A. 2000. Fla. Dept. Agric. & Consumer Serv., Division of Plant Industry, Entomology Circular No. 400.
Contributed by Troy Bartlett on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Additional contributions by cotinis, Hannah Nendick-Mason, Stephen_WV, Beatriz Moisset, Robin McLeod, Bbarnd, Chuck Entz, Aaron Schusteff, ceiseman, John Schneider, v belov, Abigail Parker, PaleoJon
Last updated 3 September, 2020 - 6:32pm

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